Then HD

This photograph, part of a stereo pair and definitively dated to 1866, captures the Father Mathew statue on Patrick's Street in its third year. It seems to depict a tranquil day in the city, perhaps a Sunday or a holiday, as all the storefronts are shuttered and there's a noticeable absence of human activity.

Among the early photographs featuring the statue, this is the only one that lacks the wheel-guard stones seen at its four external corners, implying this could be the earliest surviving image of the statue.

An intriguing tale unfolds when one observes the railings encompassing the statue. One might wonder why the designers would position water fountains alongside the statue, only to encase it all within railings, thereby limiting access. As per accounts in contemporary newspapers, it appears that shortly after the statue's unveiling in October 1864, there were several occurrences of stray carts and carriages colliding with and damaging the statue.

To prevent further such incidents, the railings were installed, though not without much debate and delay. It appears that red tape is not a solely modern phenomenon!

By 1900, the statue was elevated on a plinth, a feature that persists to the present day, despite the evolution of its surroundings over the years.

The statue stands as a testament to the efforts of a Tipperary native who adopted Cork as his home and dedicated his life to battling the scourges of alcohol abuse, poverty, and disease in the 19th century.

Link to the original: https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000564283

Blog post: https://thenhd.com/patricks-street-cork-1866/index.html

Cork's maritime, industrial and religious landscapes are on full view in this early 20th Century picture from the Fergus O'Connor collection.

Both George's quay and Morrison's island were birthed in the latter half of the 18th Century. The stately Parliament Bridge joined their ranks in the early 19th century.

On Fr. Mathew quay, once known as Charlotte Quay, a cherished sight stands tall: the Holy Trinity Church. It belongs to the Capuchins and is the only church dedicated to Father Theobald Mathew. he commissioned George Pain in 1825 to design this sublime structure. Construction began in the early 1830s but stalled shortly before the Great Famine. However, by 1890, the gothic portico and spire finally took shape, just in time for Father Mathew's centenary.

Unlike many of Cork's quays that have undergone transformations, this scene has remained much the same since despite its 18th and 19th century origins. The only notable change is the absence of ships, a striking contrast to the past.

https://thenhd.com/spires-ships-and-smokestacks/index.html

Reminiscent of a female Cha and Miah (perhaps Charlotte & Minah?). These ladies are pondering the newly-built National Monument (just out of shot in this cropped photo). In the background, we have it all, Berwick's fountain, the tower of Shandon and car No.29, on its way from Blackrock. The advertising on the tram appears to include Tyler's Boots, Sunlight soap and Brand's Essence of Chicken.

https://thenhd.com/ladies-on-a-grand-parade-c1906/index.html